Patient Education Bedford Orthopaedic Centre

Patient education is a crucial component to ensuring long-term care and success when treating orthopaedic injuries. Susan Jergesen, IGOT’s Health Education Coordinator has initiated a Patient Education project in collaboration with the nursing, physical therapy and rehabilitative staff at the Bedford Orthopaedic Centre. Educational material is being developed to communicate such crucial topics as; post surgical care, cast care, nutrition, pain management, crutch therapy and rehabilitative exercises.

Health, Safety and Accident Prevention Arts Curriculum

Working with the Pediatric Unit's "teacher" and head "Sister" (nurse), Susan designed a Health, Safety and Accident Prevention Arts Curriculum for the pediatric patients. As there was no funding support available, the program was designed to be primarily sustainable in nature by using the few supplies she had brought with her, combined with recyclable materials found around the hospital. The program was effective and well received by the children and staff alike.

Patient Education Pamphlets

In collaboration with the hospital's In-Service Director and members of the Spinal Unit's nursing staff, 2 patient education pamphlets were created that address; The Care and Prevention of Bedsores and ROM Exercises and The Prevention of Contractures. The content was a combination of excerpts from The Hesperian Foundation's health care publications designed for use with a low-literate populations and the nurses' input. The nurses translated both pamphlets into Xhosa, the local language.